New Study Says Failure To Use Turn Signals Is A Leading Cause Of Car Accidents

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Forget distracted driving, a new study says there’s a much bigger problem that causes nearly 2-million accidents a year. Would you believe it’s something as simple as not using a turn signal?

Research from the Society of Automotive Engineers says failure to use those turn signals results in more than twice the number of accidents that are caused by distracted driving.

Sonia from West Philadelphia says there’s only one reason people don’t use their turn signals:

“Ignorance, no courtesy at all. Just ignorance and not following the law – the rules.”

The study finds drivers across the country don’t use their turn signals nearly half of the time when changing lanes, and people fail to signal a quarter of the time when making a turn. In all, 750 billion times a year.

Recommendations from the study say authorities need to crack down on those not using turn signals, and new cars can be equipped with warnings, similar to the one that tells you to put on your seatbelt.

Jim Melwert is the Suburban Bureau chief for KYW Newsradio 1060, based at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Pa.
A graduate of Perkiomen Valley High School, in Montgomery County, Melwert has a journalism degree from Te...